Artwork
The King Drinks
The King Drinks is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jacob Jordaens. It dates from 1638 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
About this work
Overview
Jacob Jordaens painted *The King Drinks* in 1638, employing oil on canvas to capture a bustling banquet scene typical of Flemish Baroque genre works. The composition centers on a crowned figure in a white robe, surrounded by a diverse group of revelers, animals, and a laden table, conveying a moment of collective merriment.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, crowned with ivy and holding a glass, is interpreted as a symbolic king or festive host presiding over a communal feast. The inclusion of dogs, a cat, and varied attire among the participants underscores the painting’s focus on everyday celebration rather than a specific historical event, reflecting the genre tradition of depicting lively social gatherings.
Technique & Style
Jordaens utilizes the rich, saturated palette and dynamic chiaroscuro characteristic of the Flemish Baroque, rendering textures—from the sheen of glassware to the softness of fur—with meticulous brushwork. The crowded arrangement and diagonal gestures create a sense of movement, while the balanced distribution of light highlights the central king and draws attention to the abundance of food and drink.
History & Provenance
Created after the deaths of Rubens and van Dyck, *The King Drinks* marks Jordaens’s emergence as a leading Flemish painter of the mid‑17th century. Though specific ownership records are limited, the work has been documented in several European collections and remains an example of Jordaens’s contribution to the genre painting tradition that flourished in Antwerp during his career.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacques (Jacob) Jordaens (19 May 1593 – 18 October 1678) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and a designer of tapestries and prints.
Museum
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
Continue through works from the same source collection.
The Holy Family with Shepherds
The Holy Family with Saint Anne and the Young Baptist and His Parents
Untitled
Apollo as Victor over Pan
Susanna and the Elders
The Betrayal of Christ
Portrait of the artist with his family
The Tribute Money. Peter Finding the Silver Coin in the Mouth of the Fish. Also called "The Ferry Boat to Antwerp"
